by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 9, 2024

Giannis Antetokounmpo Gets Emotional After Helping Greece Get Back To Olympics

The "Greek Freak" will play in his first Olympics later this month.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has won an NBA championship and now has an opportunity to win a medal for his country, Greece, as he just helped them make it back to the Olympics for the first time since 2008.

According to Fox News, the victory was emotional for the “Greek Freak,” who was seen crying as his son held a sign saying, “Paris 2024 Bound.”

What it means for Giannis 🥹#FIBAOQT pic.twitter.com/rpacKTH6PA

— FIBA (@FIBA) July 7, 2024

Several countries competed for a chance to represent their countries in the upcoming Paris Olympics, which starts on Friday, July 26. After defeating Croatia 80-69, Greece will compete against other qualified nations in Paris.

This will be the first Olympics for Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo scored 23 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and had three assists in the matchup.

I have never cheat the game.. See you in Paris 🙏🏾#Atoutaler 🧿 pic.twitter.com/F0GT9su0kg

— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) July 7, 2024

The other countries that emerged victorious to advance to the Olympics include Brazil, which bested Latvia; Spain, which won a victory against the Bahamas; and Puerto Rico, which defeated Lithuania.

Those teams are now in the pool of 12 countries fighting for the chance to bring a gold medal back home. The other eight teams are the heavily favored United States, Germany, Serbia, Canada, South Sudan, Japan, Australia, and the host country’s rep, Paris.

The men’s basketball tournament starts on July 28.

The United States will be represented by the following NBA players, Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns), LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics), Kawhi Leonard (L.A. Clippers), and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).

Team USA Basketball has an impressive winning streak, with the men’s team winning four straight gold medals at the Olympic Games.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 9, 2024

Essence Festival Provides $300M Economic Boom For New Orleans

The festival brings hundreds of thousands of people to the city each year.

The Essence Festival of Culture (EFOC) provides an immersive Black experience and economic boom for New Orleans.

According to Axios, the city estimates that the Essence Festival has an economic impact of over $300 million. Since its inception, New Orleans has hosted the event, welcoming hundreds of thousands of people to the area.

For its 30th year, the festival brought over 250,000 people to New Orleans for its multiple activities, performances, and discussions. Moreover, EFOC has poured back into the Louisiana city with clean-up initiatives and awareness toward its nonprofits that are bettering the community.

From a tribute to Cash Money Records during the July 5 concert to its local Black artists highlighted within its venue, New Orleans’ pride beamed throughout the festival. On EFOC’s place in New Orleans, Mayor LaToya Cantrell exclaimed proudly that Essence Festival will always have a home there.

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“Celebrating 30 years with ‘A Love Letter’ to our city,” explained Cantrell in a post commemorating the event. “With an average of 176,000 attendees per day, this festival brings huge economic benefits and supports Black women’s empowerment.”

At the sponsor welcome reception, Cantrell also spoke of the “gratitude” she felt toward her Essence family for its ongoing commitment.

“But this is really an opportunity of embracing that spirit of gratitude and understanding the city of New Orleans was meant to host,” the HBCU alum expressed in the posted clip. “And this has been a love, a ladder, and a partnership that has grown and has been woven over 30 years.”

New Orleans remains a vibrant city filled with its own historical significance. Being the home of Essence Fest is also a gift that continues to give back.

Essence Fest hopes to keep the party going for decades to come, all taking place in The Big Easy.

by Stacy Jackson

July 9, 2024

Woman’s Tense Encounter, Caught on Police Bodycam, Sparks Investigation In Delaware

'All policies, training, and practices with regard to de-escalation and cultural competency' will be reviewed.

A woman’s contentious traffic stop, captured on police bodycam footage, has sparked an investigation into the New Castle (DE) County police’s use of force.

The June 29 incident began when an officer observed multiple traffic violations and a suspended registration. In the July 4 bodycam video, the officer approached the woman’s vehicle, instructing her to exit.

The situation quickly intensified as the woman questioned the reason for the stop and attempted to contact her attorney. Despite the officer’s repeated requests, the woman refused to leave her car.

“When my backup officer gets here,” the officer is heard saying. “I’m gonna pull you out and put you in handcuffs.” The bodycam footage then shows officers forcibly removing the woman from her vehicle. During the altercation, an officer can be heard threatening, “I’m gonna punch you in your face.”

During the traffic stop, the woman’s knee and elbow were visibly scraped. Multiple police bodycam angles captured the chaotic scene, including the woman’s resistance and the officers’ force to restrain her. At one point, an officer accused the woman of grabbing his foot as another shouted profanity and demanded the woman release it.

One female officer stated she tried to keep the woman on her side so she could breathe.

In a news release, police said “an officer with the New Castle County Division of Police was traveling in the area of Walther Road and Pulaski Highway when he observed a car commit several traffic violations. The officer was also able to confirm that the car’s registration was suspended without insurance and observed an old bullet hole in the driver’s side door that had police evidence markings on it.”

New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer addressed the controversy in a July 1 statement. He said the incident will be investigated by New Castle County Police’s Professional Standards and Use of Force units. In addition, the Police Accountability Board will review “all policies, training, and practices with regard to de-escalation and cultural competency.”

Questions remain about the specific charges faced by the woman at the traffic stop.

Hijack, Gwinnett County, High-Speed Chase, Chad Irish, Minneapolis

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 9, 2024

Man Suspected Of Killing NYC Woman Attacked By Angry Mob

55-year-old Chad Irish was charged with concealment of a human corpse, criminal possession of a weapon, and menacing charges

A crowd of people attacked a man who was arrested in connection to the killing a NYC woman whose body was discovered in a sleeping bag. According to The New York Post, police have charged Chad Irish, who was a person of interest in the murder of Yazmeen Williams. Williams’s body was discovered inside a sleeping bag in Kips Bay, with a gunshot wound to the head, after being left with the garbage on the street.

The 55-year-old suspect was charged with concealment of a human corpse, criminal possession of a weapon, and menacing charges. When police went to bring him in for questioning, local residents attacked him, as police officers took him away on a stretcher as they were placing Irish into an ambulance on July 8.

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The victim’s mother, Nicole Williams previously told the media outlet that she believed that Yazmeen’s killer was a friend of hers who uses a wheelchair.

CBS News reported that police sources said that surveillance cameras revealed a man was seen on a motorized wheelchair pulling the bag containing Williams’ body.

Nicole stated that her daughter was supposed to start a new job this past Monday.

“She was looking so forward to living, living her life,” Nicole said. “She got her degree in criminal justice. She went to Buffalo State University, and she wanted to go back to be a lawyer.”

Yazmeen’s younger sister added, “She used to always take good care of me, and she used to always be proud of me. She was the best sister I could have, and I love her so much. I just wish she could’ve stayed a little longer because I just wanted to grow up with her.”

More charges are expected to be filed against Irish. It’s alleged that he has been arrested more than 20 times and went to prison twice for robbery and assault in the Bronx. He was purportedly out on parole, being released from prison two years ago.

by Sharelle Burt

July 9, 2024

IRS Warns Of New Scam Prompting Tax Payers To Purchase Clean Energy Tax Credits

Another day, another scam.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is alerting taxpayers of a new scam prompting them to purchase clean energy tax credits.

The target: taxpayers who have filed a Form 1040, which is typically used to determine how much is owed by the individual or if they are due a tax refund. In a statement, the agency identified the scammers as “unscrupulous tax return preparers” who are misleading individuals on the rules surrounding clean energy credits.

“This is another example where scammers are trying to use the complexity of the tax law to entice people into claiming credits they’re not entitled to,” Commissioner Danny Werfel said. “Taxpayers should be wary of promoters pushing dubious credits like this and others. The IRS is watching out for this scam, and we urge people to use a reputable tax professional before claiming complex credits like clean energy.”

Individuals who claim such credits improperly run the risk of potentially being responsible for repaying the inflated credit with added interest and possible penalties. The IRS said the tax credits are only available for purchase to offset income tax from what they call “passive activity” with things like rental property or some limited partnerships.

According to the agency, the average taxpayer does not fall into that category of passive income tax liability. If taxpayers are offered these credits, they are advised to contact a tax professional.

Some cons that may be recognizable by taxpayers are phishing and smishing scams, a practice that pushes unsolicited emails or text messages of scammers posing as the IRS with the goal of grabbing personal information. Social media scams and people placing intimidating phone calls are also popular amongst scammers.

The clean energy credit scam is just the latest in a lengthy list of similar scams that involved the Fuel Tax Credit, the Sick and Family Leave Credit, and household employment taxes. In May 2024, Forbes released a list of this year’s 12 most common tax scams.

Other scam trends include improper use of trust, where individuals advise taxpayers to transfer assets into trusts, including charitable remainder annuity trusts, and claim the move will limit taxable income or increase deductions.

Abusive Tax Shelters scams typically attempt to take a deep dive into “tax strategies” that falsely promise tax benefits. Another is baseless tax arguments that urge taxpayers to provide pointless claims in order to avoid taxes.

The agency urges taxpayers to protect themselves by confirming information with the IRS on its website.

Ohio Police, Reckless Homicide, Frank Tyson

by Daniel Johnson

July 9, 2024

Miami Gardens Family Searches For Answers After Police Kill Man In Backyard

Daniel Lewis’s family continues their search for answers after the 27-year-old Lewis was shot and killed during a shootout involving ATF agents and the Miami Gardens Police Department on June 31.

Daniel Lewis’s family continues their search for answers after the 27-year-old Lewis was shot and killed during a shootout involving ATF agents and the Miami Gardens Police Department on June 31. It is currently unclear whether Lewis actually fired a shot or even presented a threat to officers; no shell casings matching his gun were found at the scene.

According to NBC Miami, during a press conference on July 2, Lewis’ mother wanted to know why her son was killed. “I watched my son take his last breath, and that’s the hardest thing a mother could ever do, from the first to the last,” Angela Lewis said. “Nobody will understand what was taken from us, and all we want to know is why, why, why did it have to happen?”

Chris Lomax, one of the attorneys representing the family in a lawsuit to be filed against the Miami Gardens Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, a federal agency, said, “The answer to her question, ‘Why did this have to happen?’ is it did not have to happen, it absolutely did not have to happen, Mr. Lewis should still be here today.”

Another attorney for the family, Ariel Lett, told the outlet that the police did not identify themselves in any way. “Not once did anyone yell police, stop, police, freeze. Instead, what they did was they gunned down a law-abiding citizen in his backyard, on his back doorstep, without a warning.”

According to NBC Miami, Lewis was a father of two with no criminal record and had a permit to carry a firearm. He was at home on June 31 when his cousins were tailed by an unmarked car, which they allegedly believed were gang members. When Lewis stepped outside to investigate what was happening, he was shot.

Christopher Robinson, the special agent in charge of the ATF’s office in Miami, issued a statement to NBC Miami, declaring that some people shot at both his agents and members of the Miami Gardens Police Department, and fire was returned, resulting in the death of Lewis. “Unfortunately, some individuals discharged firearms at some Miami Gardens detectives as well as some of my agents, gunfire was returned, one individual struck, and he’s unfortunately deceased.”

Lewis also told the Miami Herald, “My son went outside to see what was going on, and they shot him five times. They didn’t say anything to me. They didn’t tell me why,” Angela Lewis said. “No one tried to administer CPR. No one tried to help him. They just stood over him.”

Although Miami Gardens Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt told the Herald that it was currently too soon in their investigation to determine exactly who fired weapons, she indicated to the outlet that no officers had been injured. She also issued a warning at the scene of the shooting. “If folks are brazen enough to fire at our officers…they will be dealt with accordingly.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 9, 2024

Pusha T Is Newest House Ambassador For Louis Vuitton

'Pusha T’s role as House Ambassador underscores Louis Vuitton’s vision of bringing together diverse cultural influences to build powerful storytelling within its storied menswear universe.'

As recording artists Clipse prepares the finishing touches on their next album, group member Pusha T has been announced as the latest House Ambassador for the Louis Vuitton fashion house, according to Billboard.

An Instagram post from Louis Vuitton reveals the Virginia rapper wearing some of the latest from the brand.

“Pusha T for Louis Vuitton. The Maison and Men’s Creative Director @pharrell are pleased to welcome the artist as the newest House Ambassador, beginning a new chapter of Louis Vuitton’s longstanding commitment to the musical arts.”

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A post shared by Louis Vuitton (@louisvuitton)

The announcement comes after Pusha T and his brother, No Malice, appeared at the company’s Men’s Spring-Summer 2025 Show in Paris. The duo also released a new single that debuted at the fashion show. “Birds Don’t Sing,” featuring John Legend, played during the outing. It’s the Clipse’s first recording together since 2009.

Their long-time producer, Pharrell Williams, is also producing their latest project and is Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Creative Director.

“His ambassadorial nomination at Louis Vuitton is a testament to his commitment to artistry and a strong personal style, both echoing Maison’s own dedication to unique expression across fashion and culture,” according to an LV press release. “Pusha T’s role as House Ambassador underscores Louis Vuitton’s vision of bringing together diverse cultural influences to build powerful storytelling within its storied menswear universe. The Maison looks forward to this exciting collaborative journey ahead.”

Earlier this year, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama, a French native, was also named as a house ambassador for the Louis Vuitton brand. Other notables associated with the brand include Tyler, the Creator, who debuted his capsule collection on Feb. 21. Deion Sanders’ sons, Shedeur and Shilo, modeled for an LV fashion show in Paris in January. Even a pregnant Rihanna was spotted in a commercial for the summer 2024 collection of the popular fashion house.

Texas, Hurricane Beryl, electricity, power outage

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

July 9, 2024

Hurricane Beryl Wreaked Havoc On Texas, May Take Days To Regain Power

Hurricane Beryl broke records fueled by soaring sea temperatures

Following Hurricane Beryl, widespread and ongoing power outages are exacerbating the grave situation as temperatures soar in Texas this week.

The hurricane ripped through Texas on July 8. The calamitous storm caused at least six deaths, and approximately 2.7 million customers were left without electricity. As of Tuesday morning, more than 2.2 million people remained without power. Authorities warn that the blackouts could persist for days to weeks, leaving residents without air conditioning amidst triple-digit heat indices.

“The lack of proper cooling, combined with many people outdoors cleaning up after Beryl, could produce dangerous heat conditions,” the National Weather Service (NWS) stated this morning.

The outages are concentrated in southeast Texas, where the heat index — a measure of heat and humidity — is expected to exceed 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Although this level typically doesn’t warrant a heat advisory in the region, the absence of air conditioning after a major storm significantly changes the situation.

Public Utility Commission of Texas chairman Thomas Gleeson mentioned in a press conference yesterday that it could take “a few days” to restore power, with some areas in hard-hit Galveston potentially remaining without electricity for up to two weeks.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, power outages in the U.S. have increased over the past decade, mainly due to “major events” like hurricanes and winter storms.

These prolonged blackouts heighten the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths, especially as rising global temperatures, driven by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, lead to more frequent and intense heat waves. Higher temperatures also intensify storms, which gain strength from heat energy at the sea surface.

Hurricane Beryl broke records fueled by soaring sea temperatures. It became the strongest tropical storm on record to develop in the Atlantic this early in the hurricane season. By July 2, Beryl intensified into a monstrous Category 5 storm, causing destruction across the Caribbean and Mexico before weakening to a Category 1 storm and striking Texas. Despite lower sustained wind speeds, Beryl delivered over 10 inches of rain along parts of the Texas Gulf Coast and caused a storm surge of up to six feet.

Beryl’s impact is a grim indicator of what’s predicted to be a severe Atlantic hurricane season this year. Though the storm has weakened, it is expected to remain “a prolific heavy rain producer” as it moves northeast this week, according to the NWS.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 9, 2024

NFL Player Cameron Sutton Suspended For 8 Games After Domestic Battery Arrest

An investigation into the matter led the league to determine that he violated its personal conduct policy.

Earlier this year, former Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton surrendered to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa, Florida, after he accusations of domestic violence. The NFL announced on July 8 that Sutton had been suspended for eight games without pay for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

After Sutton turned himself in, he reportedly entered a pretrial diversion program on misdemeanor battery charges. An investigation into the matter led the league to determine that he violated the personal conduct policy, leading to his suspension. After being released by the Lions, Sutton signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the veteran minimum and will be eligible to play when the team plays against the New York Giants in Week 9.

Steelers CB Cameron Sutton has been suspended eight games without pay for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, the league announced Monday.

He will be eligible to return Tuesday, Oct. 29, following the Steelers’ Week 8 game against the Giants. https://t.co/IcJccwmLMH

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 9, 2024

Sutton was charged with misdemeanor battery after turning himself in on March 31. He was initially wanted for domestic battery by strangulation, a felony, but prosecutors stated that he had been formally charged with misdemeanor battery. If convicted of this charge, he would have faced a maximum of one year in jail.

“After weeks of evading law enforcement, this man has finally made the right choice to turn himself in,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister at the time of Sutton’s surrender. “Domestic violence has no place in our community, and no one is above the law here in Hillsborough County. My thoughts are with this woman as she continues to heal from this man’s gruesome actions.”

Last year, Sutton signed a $33 million, three-year contract with the Lions after playing the first six years of his career with the Steelers. He was instrumental in helping the Lions win the division title this past season, the team’s first in 30 years. Sutton started every game while playing for Detroit, getting one interception, a forced fumble, and 50 tackles.

by Daniel Johnson

July 9, 2024

The Caucasity: Brett Favre To Ask Judge To Reinstate Defamation Lawsuit Against Shannon Sharpe

After a federal judge threw out his defamation lawsuit against ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe in October 2023, disgraced Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre is set to request a federal appeals court to reinstate the lawsuit on July 9

After a federal judge threw out his defamation lawsuit against ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe in October 2023, disgraced Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre is set to request a federal appeals court to reinstate the lawsuit on July 9. The lawsuit was originally thrown out due to a judge’s determination that Sharpe’s comments on a television broadcast were within the bounds of constitutionally protected free speech.

According to The Associated Press, U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett wrote in his 2023 decision that it was unreasonable to believe that Sharpe’s comments during a segment on Skip and Shannon: Undisputed should be taken literally. “Here, no reasonable person listening to the Broadcast would think that Favre actually went into the homes of poor people and took their money — that he committed the crime of theft/larceny against any particular poor person in Mississippi.”

Favre’s lawyers, meanwhile, argued in a brief that the ruling was a misinterpretation of Sharpe’s comments. “Here, a reasonable listener could and would have interpreted Sharpe’s repeated statements to the effect that Favre ‘stole money’ from ‘the underserved’ as factual assertions about Favre.”

Sharpe’s attorneys argued in their own legal brief that the judge’s ruling was correct, writing that Sharpe’s words were “loose, figurative language between media commentators about a significant public controversy important to the discourse of our nation.”

According to The AP, Favre has paid back the $1.1 million that he originally improperly received from a non-profit organization for work Favre performed on behalf of the organization, but still owes $729,790 due to accrued interest on the payments, according to Mississippi State Auditor Shad White.

During White’s investigation, he uncovered that between 2016 and 2019, the State of Mississippi misallocated over $77 million in funds from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, meant to go to some of the nation’s poorest inhabitants. According to The Mississippi Free Press, part of that misallocation was an incident which involved a scheme initiated by Nancy New, the operator of the Mississippi Community Education Center, the non-profit organization which paid Favre and former Mississippi Department of Human Services Director John Davis to divert $5 million to a volleyball stadium project Favre wanted at the University of Southern Mississippi, his alma mater.

New also diverted millions in funds from the TANF program to a pharmaceutical company Favre maintained an investment into, Prevacus. Unlike Favre, however, the founder of Prevacus, Jake VanLandingham, Davis, and New are all facing criminal charges related to their actions. According to The Free Press, the State of Mississippi is still trying to recover funds from Favre, which are related to both Prevacus and the University of Southern Mississippi’s volleyball project, through a civil lawsuit that is targeting dozens of organizations and individuals that the MDHS believes took the misused TANF funds.

According to the civil lawsuit, “Favre understood that the TANF Funds that MCEC paid to the Foundation were “grant funds” that were paid on his behalf. Favre knew that John Davis was providing grant funds from MDHS to MCEC for construction of the volleyball facility, and he knew that MDHS is Mississippi’s “welfare agency.” Favre discussed the source of the funding — MDHS — with Jon Gilbert. And Favre texted Jake VanLandingham regarding Nancy New: “She has strong connections and gave me five million for the Vball facility via grant money.”